Blacksmiths create new iron sculpture

An 800kg iron sculpture is being created by 75 blacksmiths in Shropshire Credit: Guzelian

This weekend 75 blacksmiths will be working together to create a new iron sculpture in Blists Hill Victorian Town one of the Ironbridge Museum's in Shropshire.

A three man team were invited to produce a design for the sculpture, to be displayed in Enginuity, the Design and Technology centre in Coalbrookdale.

The British Artist Blacksmiths Association (BABA) is forging the new iron sculpture as part of its international AGM and hands on conference being held at the museum this year.

The winning design was by Olly Boyett, who took his inspiration from the history of metalworking within the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site.

But judges were so impressed with all three designs that blacksmiths Matt Snape's and David Frazier's designs, will also be incorporated into the sculpture.

The sculpture is set to weigh around 800kg and the public are being invited to come along to the museum over the weekend to watch the sculpture being forged as well as have a go at forging something themselves.

The museum is open from 10am to 5pm, Blists Hill Victorian Town is one of the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums.